Although there has always been a hermeneutic problem in Christianity, the hermeneutic question today seems to us a new one.
Paul RicoeurRead
Myth expresses in terms of the world - that is, of the other world or the second world - the understanding that man has of himself in relation to the foundation and the limit of his existence.
Interpretation
Myth represents humanity's self-awareness in context to existence's boundaries and foundations.
This quote by Paul Ricoeur highlights how myths serve as a reflection of human understanding, encompassing our relationship with existence's fundamental questions and limits. It suggests that through myths, we narrate our perceptions of self and the universe, using these stories to explore and express our place within the larger scope of reality.
In practice
In a lecture on mythology, one might say, 'As Paul Ricoeur noted, myth expresses our understanding of existence.'
Although there has always been a hermeneutic problem in Christianity, the hermeneutic question today seems to us a new one.
The narrative constructs the identity of the character, what can be called his or her narrative identity, in constructing that of the story told. It is the identity of the story that makes the identity of the character.
If it is true that there is always more than one way of construing a text, it is not true that all interpretations are equal.
But myth is something else than an explanation of the world, of history, and of destiny. Myth expresses in terms of the world - that is, of the other world or the second world - the understanding that man has of himself in relation to the foundation and the limit of his existence. Hence to demythologize is to interpret myth, that is, to relate the objective representations of the myth to the self-understanding which is both shown and concealed in it.
On a cosmic scale, our life is insignificant, yet this brief period when we appear in the world is the time in which all meaningful questions arise.
Testimony demands to be interpreted because of the dialectic of meaning and event that traverses it.
Waiting is still an occupation. It is having nothing to wait for that is terrible.
Jesus Christ belonged to the true race of prophets. He saw with open eye the mystery of the soul. Drawn by its severe harmony, ravished with its beauty, he lived in it and had his being there. Alone in all history, he estimated the greatness of man.
The world dies over and over again, but the skeleton always gets up and walks.
The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of the press.
Until we have finally accepted the fact that there is nothing we can do to change the past, our feelings of regret and remorse and bitterness will prevent us from designing a better future with the opportunity that is before us today.
Perhaps wars weren't won anymore. Maybe they went on forever. Maybe it was another Hundred Years' War.
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